Tom Odell at the Roundhouse

At every concert there is always an ebb and flow of electricity in the room, something unexplainable and yet tangible that is so evident as soon as the artist enters the stage. Few experiences, however, will match the emotion soaring from the chorus of hundreds of fans singing along with Tom Odell at the Roundhouse on the 15^th of March. If there was absolutely anything in this world that would prove to you that heartache is a universal feeling, all you would have to do was close your eyes and listen to the audience wail as Odell played older hits such as Heal. Given the emotional intensity of the artist’s music, the energetic high from the concert came as a surprise. This unforgettable performance set a new standard for how live music should make you feel.

Unlike most singers who are selling themselves on stage, Odell prioritises the music. Seating himself on the side at his piano, he delivered a humble rendition that was subtle yet still showcased the level of skill and passion that his craft requires. It was almost as if he understood the emotional significance of his work in his fans’ lives, the heartbreaks his music has nursed, the weddings he has soundtracked. His voice has narrated various chapters of people’s lives, and it is evident that his artistic choices for this tour have kept this in mind. One particular highlight for the night was the use of lighting. A simple blue hue shining for acoustic ballads or a blinding red that tainted the entire stage for more theatrical songs such as Can’t Pretend. The purposeful use of it ensured that the impact of Odell’s music isn’t just something you hear, but that you see also.

The concert was split into two halves, the first being a catalogue of mainly tracks from the new Black Friday album, and the encore being a trip down memory lane of some of the artist’s career-making hits such as Another Love. But, a pinnacle point was when he brought out a special guest, Abigail Morris (lead singer of the Last Dinner Party). The two performers, with the support of Odell’s phenomenal band, played a cover of Tiny Dancer by Elton John, which had the audience in a tizzy.

Odell periodically chatted with his fans between songs, at one point filling us in on the importance of Long Way Down, an older track that was written the week he had moved to London when he was 19-20 years old. It’s clear that compositions such as this and from his 2012 EP Songs from Another Love were pivotal in his journey. However, the Black Friday album and tour, an emotionally raw ode to love, happiness and longing, proved Tom Odell’s writing has only gotten better through the years.

Camy Mortimer

For further information and future events visit Tom Odell’s website here.

Watch the video for Loving You Will Be the Death of Me here: